Ki Tavo 5771 - English

Rabbi Mario Gurevich
Beth Israel Synagogue, Aruba

Parashat Ki Tavo, along the same lines of the Book of Devarim (Deuteronomy), once again presents us the dichotomy and choice between good and evil, life and death, blessing and curse.  The last two are especially and thoroughly included in the text, with broad descriptions.

Tradition in our synagogues decreed the chapter on curses to be read quietly, almost in a whisper.  No one actually wants to hear that awful recounting of disasters, more suitable for Dante’s Hell than to the word of God.  But in our times, it is not necessary to resort to those subterfuges, for we can see the results of the curse on TV, and the horrors suffered by the world when a person or group of people decide to desecrate the biblical advise, and even common sense, by not choosing life.

 
This year, Parashat Ki Tavo is read on the week when we commemorate the ten years following the fateful 9/11.  We held a memorial service in Aruba, and I would like to transcribe my words for the event, since they, somehow, have much to do with the morals contained in our parashah:

 

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And there was evening and there was morning, ten years worth, and the world is still unformed and void, with darkness over the face of the deep.

 
For all the politics, bombs and battles in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, what strikes the mourners is a more personal and sensory vacancy, the absence of touch and sight and voice, a severing of personal histories.

 
How could one human do this to another?  I ask the question, but I don't have an answer.

 
We have to recognize that absolute evil exists, and it must be fought.

 
This is a difficult task for a multicultural and free society, encumbered with a broad definition of "tolerance."  The media, universities, and politically correct pundits declare that everyone is right and there are no absolutes.

 
Actually, this is a distorted definition of tolerance.  Tolerance means a commitment to working out disagreements through mutual understanding and discussion, not violence.

 
So let us be clear: To murder innocent people is evil – absolutely. To terrorize is evil – absolutely.  This is true whether the perpetrator is white, black or yellow; Christian, Jew or Moslem.

 
We cannot fight evil if there is no evil.  Evil must be called evil – throughout the media, government, and in public discourse.  And in order to defeat evil, we have to be dedicated to "good," as fiercely as our enemies are dedicated to "evil."

 
In 1861, with civil war raging, Abraham Lincoln united Americans in a day of prayer. 

 
We all yearn to see evil defeated.  So we turn to our loving Father and ask Him to guide us in the proper course of action, and to oversee its success.  Surely our God has the power to get this done.

 
23rd Psalm - Funeral Prayer

1. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still
waters.
3. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His
name's sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will
dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

 
Action must go hand-in-hand with prayer.  Action shows that your prayer is serious.

 
In our individual lives, when faced with a crisis of health, wealth, success or aggravation, at the same time that we pray, we act.  Nobody would dream of asking God for a good job and then sitting down to wait for a knock on the door. 

 
In crisis times, what action shall we take?  How can we begin to make a difference?

 
Spread clarity.  Educate others about the true definition:  A terrorist is anyone who purposely harms innocent civilians.

 
Finally, we have to close ranks.  The entire civilized world has to be completely united in this struggle for survival.

 
But around what will we unite?

 
A profound tool for unity is the concept of monotheism.  Any human who believes in a loving, all-powerful God – the basis of Judaism, Christianity and Islam – also believes in a God Who wants mankind to live in peace and brotherhood.

 
At this decisive time in world history – as the forces of evil try to divide and terrorize us into submission – each of us should turn to the Universal God, Creator of us all.  We ask for the courage, wisdom and dedication to enable us to win this struggle against the evil scourge of terrorism.

 
In truth, if ever there was a time when the saying "actions speak louder than words" was appropriate, this would seem to be it.

 
Certainly, the actions of the heroes in the Herculean rescue effort, speak volumes about the value of human life... and death.  And certainly, the actions of the thousands who waited in lines for hours to donate blood, speak clearly about caring for one's fellow man or woman. 

 
But cataclysmic events also call for actions of a different strain.  Actions of a very personal nature.

 
We can ask more of ourselves.  We can demand of ourselves that we stay truly human, living with the ongoing awareness of the sacred soul God has breathed into each of us. 

 
May the memory of all the victims and heroes of 9/11 live forever in the Holy Sanctuary of the hearts of all men of good will, and inspire us to serve God and His Creation in truth, goodness and peace.

 
Amen.